Performance characterization of direct formic acid fuel cell using porous carbon-supported palladium anode catalysts

Palladium particles supported on porous carbon of 20 and 50 nm pore diameters were prepared and applied to the direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC). Four different anode catalysts with Pd loading of 30 and 50 wt% were synthesized by using impregnation method and the cell performance was investigated with changing experimental variables such as anode catalyst loading, formic acid concentration, operating temperature and oxidation gas. The BET surface areas of 20 nm, 30 wt% and 20 nm, 50 wt% Pd/porous carbon anode catalysts were 135 and 90 m²/g, respectively. The electro-oxidation of formic acid was examined in terms of cell power density. Based on the same amount of palladium loading with 1.2 or 2 mg/cm², the porous carbon-supported palladium catalysts showed higher cell performance than unsupported palladium catalysts. The 20 nm, 50 wt% Pd/porous carbon anode catalyst generated the highest maximum power density of 75.8 mW/cm² at 25 °C. Also, the Pd/porous carbon anode catalyst showed less deactivation at the high formic acid concentrations. When the formic acid concentration was increased from 3 to 9 M, the maximum power density was decreased from 75.8 to 40.7 mW/cm² at 25 °C. Due to the high activity of Pd/porous carbon catalyst, the cell operating temperature has less effect on DFAFC performance.     

Sonochemical synthesis of Pt-doped Pd nanoparticles with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for formic acid oxidation reaction

Pt-doped Pd nanoparticle catalysts (Pd _n Pt, n is 12, 15 and 19) supported on carbon were synthesized by an ultrasound assisted polyol method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrochemical activity of the electrocatalysts was investigated in terms of formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) at low concentration of formic acid in 0.1 M perchloric acid at room temperature. Formic acid oxidation on the Pd _n Pt/C commences at lower potential than a commercial Pt/C. Pd₁₉Pt/C catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity in FAOR compared to that of other catalysts. The obtained electrochemical results from voltammograms indicate that Pt-doped Pd catalysts can be a promising candidate for the anode material in direct formic acid fuel cells. The synthesis procedure is not only a very facile route but also a mass producible method for preparing carbon supported alloy nanoparticles.     

Facile synthesis of bimodal porous silica and multimodal porous carbon as an anode catalyst support in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

A simple and easy sol-gel approach has been developed to directly synthesize in situ three-dimensionally interconnected uniform ordered bimodal porous silica (BPS) incorporating both the macroporosity and mesoporosity in the lattice without extra synthesis process performed in previous work. Multimodal porous carbon (MPC) was fabricated through the inverse replication of the BPS. The unique structural characteristics such as well-developed 3-D interconnected ordered macropore framework with open mesopores embedded in the macropore walls, large surface area (1120 m² g⁻¹) and mesopore volume (1.95 cm³ g⁻¹) make MPC very attractive as an anode catalyst support in polymer exchange membrane fuel cell. The MPC-supported Pt-Ru alloy catalyst has demonstrated much higher power density toward hydrogen oxidation than the commercial carbon black Vulcan XC-72-supported ones.     

Formic acid oxidation by carbon-supported palladium catalysts in direct formic acid fuel cell

The oxidation of formic acid by the palladium catalysts supported on carbon with high surface area was investigated. Pd/C catalysts were prepared by using the impregnation method. 30 wt% and 50 wt% Pd/C catalysts had a high BET surface area of 123.7 m²/g and 89.9 m²/g, respectively. The fuel cell performance was investigated by changing various parameters such as anode catalyst types, oxidation gases and operating temperature. Pd/C anode catalysts had a significant effect on the direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) performance. DFAFC with Pd/C anode catalyst showed high open circuit potential (OCP) of about 0.84 V and high power density at room temperature. The fuel cell with 50 wt% Pd/C anode catalyst using air as an oxidant showed the maximum power density of 99 mW/cm². On the other hand, a fuel cell with 50 wt% Pd/C anode catalyst using oxygen as an oxidant showed a maximum power density of 163 mW/cm² and the maximum current density of 590 mA/cm² at 60 °C.     

One-step growth of 3-5 nm diameter palladium electrocatalyst in a carbon nanoparticle-chitosan host and characterization for formic acid oxidation

The electrochemical formation of a palladium nanoparticle catalyst composite material has been investigated. A carbon nanoparticle-chitosan host film deposited onto a carbon substrate electrode has been employed to immobilize PdCl₂ as catalyst precursor. A one-step electrochemical reduction process gave Pd nanoparticles within the chitosan matrix with different levels of loading, on different carbon substrates, and with a reproducible catalyst particle diameter of ca. 3-5 nm. High activity for formic acid oxidation has been observed in aqueous phosphate buffer medium. The oxidation of formic acid has been investigated as a function of pH and maximum catalyst activity was observed at pH 6. When varying the formic acid concentration, limiting behaviour consistent with a “resistance effect” has been observed. A flow cell system based on a screen-printed carbon electrode has been employed to establish the effect of hydrodynamic conditions on the formic acid oxidation. Both increasing the convective-diffusion mass transport rate and increasing the concentration of formic acid caused the oxidation peak current to converge towards the same “resistance limit”. A mechanistic model to explain the resistance effect based on CO₂ flux and localized CO₂ gas bubble formation at the Pd nanoparticle modified carbon nanoparticle-chitosan host film has been proposed.     

Preparation, characterization and catalytic properties of carbon nanofiber-supported Pt, Pd, Ru monometallic particles in aqueous-phase reactions

Carbon nanofibers (CNF) synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method were used to prepare supported platinum, palladium and ruthenium monometallic (2.0 wt.%) catalysts by means of incipient-wetness impregnation method. The CNF support and catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, volumetric chemisorption of hydrogen, temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solids were tested in catalytic wet-air oxidation (CWAO) of phenol aqueous solution (180–240 °C and 10.0 bar of oxygen partial pressure) carried out in a continuous-flow trickle-bed reactor. Trends of phenol and total organic carbon (TOC) conversion demonstrate that the CNF support and CNF-Pt catalyst did not exhibit constant activity for CWAO of phenol. A decrease of catalyst activity, detection of carbon dioxide in the off-gas stream while examining catalyst stability and significant textural changes observed, provide an evidence that under net oxidizing reaction conditions gasification of the CNF support occurs. The prepared catalysts were also tested in liquid-phase thermal decarboxylation of formic acid in inert atmosphere (60–220 °C). Among solids examined, the CNF-Pd exhibited the highest activity. At the employed conditions, no decomposition of the CNF support was observed during the thermal decarboxylation of formic acid.     

Relationship among the physicochemical properties, electrocatalytic performance and kinetics of carbon supported Pt catalyst for ethanol oxidation

A new carbon supported Pt (Pt/C(b)) catalyst was prepared by reducing H₂PtCl₆ in glycol solution using formic acid as a reducing agent, and has been found in this work to be highly active and stable for the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol. The preparation produces highly dispersed Pt particles, of 2.6 nm average size, and with high electrochemical surface area, 98 m²/g. The apparent activation energy of ethanol oxidation over the Pt/C(b) catalyst electrode is low, 10–14 kJ/mol, over the range of potentials from 0.3 to 0.6 V.     

Solar photoassisted anodic oxidation of carboxylic acids in presence of Fe using a boron-doped diamond electrode

This paper reports a comparative study on the anodic oxidation of 2.5 l of 50 mg l⁻¹ TOC of formic, oxalic, acetic, pyruvic or maleic acid in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solutions of pH 3.0 with and without 1.0 mM Fe³⁺ as catalyst in the dark or under solar irradiation. Experiments have been performed with a batch recirculation flow plant containing a one-compartment filter-press electrolytic reactor equipped with a 20 cm² boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a 20 cm² stainless steel cathode, and coupled to a solar photoreactor. This system gradually accumulates H₂O₂ from dimerization of hydroxyl radical (OH) formed at the anode surface from water oxidation. Carboxylic acids in direct anodic oxidation are mainly oxidized by direct charge transfer and/or OH produced on BDD, while their Fe(III) complexes formed in presence of Fe³⁺ can also react with OH produced from Fenton reaction between regenerated Fe²⁺ with electrosynthesized H₂O₂ and/or photo-Fenton reaction. Fast photolysis of Fe(III)-oxalate and Fe(III)-pyruvate complexes under the action of sunlight also takes place. Chemical and photochemical trials of the same solutions have been made to better clarify the role of the different catalysts. Solar photoassisted anodic oxidation in presence of Fe³⁺ strongly accelerates the removal of all carboxylic acids in comparison with direct anodic oxidation, except for acetic acid that is removed at similar rate in both cases. This novel electrochemical advanced oxidation process allows more rapid mineralization of formic, oxalic and maleic acids, without any significant effect on the conversion of acetic acid into CO₂. The synergistic action of Fe³⁺ and sunlight in anodic oxidation can then be useful for wastewater remediation when oxalic and formic acids are formed as ultimate carboxylic acids of organic pollutants, but its performance is expected to strongly decay in the case of generation of persistent acetic acid during the degradation process.     

Relationship among the physicochemical properties,electrocatalytic performance and kinetics of carbon supported Pt catalyst for ethanol oxidation

A new carbon supported Pt (Pt/C(b)) catalyst was prepared by reducing H₂PtCl₆ in glycol solution using formic acid as a reducing agent, and has been found in this work to be highly active and stable for the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol. The preparation produces highly dispersed Pt particles, of 2.6 nm average size, and with high electrochemical surface area, 98 m²/g. The apparent activation energy of ethanol oxidation over the Pt/C(b) catalyst electrode is low, 10–14 kJ/mol, over the range of potentials from 0.3 to 0.6 V.     

Influence of underpotentially deposited Sb onto Pt anode surface on the performance of direct formic acid fuel cells

We first reported on electrocatalytic activity and stability of antimony modified platinum (PtSb_upd) as anode catalyst in direct formic acid fuel cells. Sb modified Pt (PtSb_upd) was prepared by underpotential deposition technique applying constant potential of 0.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3M KCl) and its modified surface was characterized by XRD and XPS. The electrocatalytic oxidation activity by cyclic voltammograms and the single cell power performance of Sb modified Pt were measured and their results were compared with the data of unmodified Pt electrode. PtSb_upd induced lower onset potential of formic acid oxidation and twice higher power density of 250 mW cm⁻² was observed.     

Hydrogen generation at ambient conditions: AgPd bimetal supported on metal–organic framework derived porous carbon as an efficient synergistic catalyst

An efficient synergistic catalyst, AgPd bimetal supported on metal–organic framework derived porous carbon (AgPd/MOF-5-C), was fabricated for the first time. The catalyst exhibited 100% H₂ selectivity and high catalytic activity in hydrogen generation from formic acid at ambient conditions. The initial turnover frequency could reach as high as 854 h^− 1. The combination of distinct interaction among bimetal, support and high dispersion of nanoparticles drastically enhances the catalytic performance of the resulted catalyst.     

Direct-methane anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells fabricated by aqueous gel-casting

Direct methane Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) operated under catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) conditions are investigated, focusing on the processing of the anode support and the anode deactivation caused by carbon deposition. Anode-supported SOFCs based on gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte, and NiO-GDC anode support were fabricated by the gel-casting method. Suitable aqueous slurries formulations of NiO–GDC were prepared, starting NiO-GDC nanocomposite powders, agarose as gelling agent and rice starch as pore former. Electrochemical and mechanical tests evidenced that the support of 550 ± 50 µm thickness and 10 wt% pore former is a good candidate for direct-methane SOFCs. The cells operating under stoichiometric conditions of CPOX reached a performance of 0.64 W·cm^?2 at 650 ºC, a very close value to that measured under humidified hydrogen (0.71 W·cm^?2). The best electrochemical stability of the cell is achieved at a CH₄/O₂ ratio of 2.5, showing no evidence of carbon deposition and reducing nickel re-oxidation significantly.     

Highly effective anode structure in a direct formic acid fuel cell

We report the mass transport characteristics of formic acid and performance enhancement in a direct formic acid fuel cell in terms of the property of anode components. The effect of hydrophobicity of anode diffusion media as well as catalyst layer was investigated applying different cell temperature and fuel concentration. The operation over 80 °C and concentrated formic acid is of great advantage to the enhancement of catalytic activity and better water management. On the other hand, the conductivity of formic acid decreases by means of the formation of more complex chains of formic acid and the fuel cell resistance increases by membrane dehydration effect due to the hygroscopic property of formic acid, resulting in overall decrease of cell performance and long-term stability. Optimizing operating conditions, the use of 60% PtRu/C with only 1 mg/cm² on plain carbon paper can be one of the good choice to achieve both sustainable power performance and higher utilization of anode catalysts keeping cell resistance.     

Electrooxidation of formic acid on carbon supported PtxPd1−x (x = 0-1) nanocatalysts

In this work, carbon supported Pt_xPd_1−x (x = 0-1) nanocatalysts were investigated for formic acid oxidation. These catalysts were synthesized by a surfactant-stabilized method with 3-(N,N-dimethyldodecylammonio) propanesulfonate (SB12) as the stabilizer. They show better Pt/Pd dispersion and higher catalytic performance than the corresponding commercial catalysts. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic properties of Pt_xPd_1−x/C were found to depend strongly on the Pt/Pd deposition sequence and on the Pt/Pd atomic ratio. At a lower potential, formic acid oxidation current on co-deposited Pt_xPd_1−x/C catalysts increase with increasing Pd surface concentration. Nanoscale Pd/C is a promising formic acid oxidation catalyst candidate for the direct formic acid fuel cell.     

Effect of support material on the catalytic performance of V2O5/P2O5 catalysts for the selective oxidation of but-1-ene and furan to maleic anhydride and its consecutive nonselective oxidation : I. Results of Catalytic Testing

The performance of Al₂O₃- and TiO₂-supported V₂O₅/P2O5 catalysts was studied with respect to activity and selectivity for the oxidation of but-1-ene and furan to maleic anhydride (MA) and its consecutive nonselective oxidation. TiO₂-supported catalysts result in better selectivities for MA both for but-1-ene and furan oxidation. For both the supports MA selectivity was affected by the amount of V₂O₅ and P₂O₅ loading: An increase of the V₂O₅/P₂O₅ loading resulted in improved MA selectivity for the Al₂O₃ support while the effect was opposite in the case of the TiO₂ support. For the oxidation of but-1-ene and furan the activity of the TiO₂-supported catalyst (V₂O₅/P₂O₅/TiO₂, = 5/ 5/90 mass-%) was higher than the Al₂O₃-supported catalyst (V₂O₅/P₂O₅/Al₂O₃ = 5/ 5/90 mass-%) while for the non-selective oxidation of MA to carbon dioxide the Al₂O₃,-supported catalyst was more active than the TiO₂-supported catalyst.     

Novel catalyst-support interaction for direct formic acid fuel cell anodes: Pd electrodeposition on surface-modified graphite felt

The electrodeposition of Pd on graphite felt (GF, thickness ~3 mm in uncompressed state) was studied and the resulting catalyst was compared with Pt-Ru/GF for the electro-oxidation of formic acid. A micellar solution composed of the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-102 and an aqueous phase containing PdCl₂ were utilized for the galvanostatic electrodeposition of Pd nanoparticles. The presence of the surfactant during electrodeposition coupled with pretreatment of the GF surface by a Shipley-type method (PdCl₂ + SnCl₂ solution) creating nucleation sites had a major impact on the Pd catalyst morphology and penetration throughout the electrode thickness, affecting, therefore, the electrocatalytic activity toward formic acid oxidation. It was found that large (~1,000 nm) Pd particles with smooth surface favored the indirect CO_ad pathway, while Pd nanoparticles (diameter <40 nm) with rough surface, formed with surfactant and pretreatment, were much more active leading to the direct non-CO_ad pathway. Due to pretreatment the GF surface has been modified and the effective catalytic system could be described as Pd/SnO₂–Pd(PdO)/GF with possible electronic interaction between support and catalyst. In direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) experiments at 333 K and 1 M HCOOH, the peak power density using the Pd/GF anode reached 852 W m^?2 (57 g m^?2 Pd) compared to 392 W m^?2 (40 g m^?2 Pd) with a commercial Pd catalyst-coated membrane (CCM). The long-term stability of Pd-based anodes was poor and inferior to Pt–Ru (4:1 at. ratio) prepared and tested under identical conditions.     

Hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid on supported ruthenium catalysts

We report on the preparation and application of novel heterogeneous supported ruthenium catalysts. The catalysts are active in the synthesis of formic acid from the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Abundant hydroxyl groups, which interact with the ruthenium components, play an important role in the catalytic reactions. Highly dispersed ruthenium hydroxide species enhance the hydrogenation of CO₂, while crystalline RuO₂ species, which are formed from the relatively high ruthenium content or the pH of the solution during preparation of the catalyst, restrict the production of formic acid. Optimal activity of ruthenium hydroxide as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of CO₂ to formic acid is achieved over a γ-Al₂O₃ supported 2.0 wt% ruthenium catalyst, which is prepared in a solution of pH 12.8 with NH₃·H₂O as a titration solvent. A possible hydrogenation mechanism for the hydroxide ruthenium catalyst is proposed.     

Effect of support material on the adsorption structures of furan and maleic anhydride on the surface of V2O5/P2O5 catalysts : II. Results of In Situ Infrared Spectroscopic Studies

The structures of furan and maleic anhydride (MA) adsorbed on surfaces of Al₂O₃-supported and TiO₂-supported V₂O₅/P₂O₅ catalysts (V₂O₅/P₂O₅/support=5/5/90 mass-%) were investigated by IR spectroscopy. For furan four different adsorption structures could be observed at temperatures below 500 K: a cationic allyl complex, that interacted in 2-position with the catalyst, an oxyfuran complex, a 2-(5H)-furanone complex and an aldehyde maleate complex. Between 573 and 648 K adsorbed maleic anhydride and maleate complexes were observed additionally. Aldehyde maleate and maleate were favored on the surface of the Al₂O₃,-supported catalyst. At temperatures below 423 K maleic anhydride interacted with hydroxyl groups of the catalyst surface via hydrogen bonds; a maleate complex as well as a maleic acid complex and an acid maleate complex were identified. Maleate was favored on the Al₂O₃-supported catalyst when furan was adsorbed. Between 427 and 573 K the maleate complex was observed only on the surface of the Al₂O₃-supported catalyst. Ring opening facilitated by hydroxyl groups existing on the Al₂O₃ support is assumed to be responsible for the non-selective oxidation of furan and for the oxidative degradation of MA on the Al₂O₃-supported catalyst. The results have been confirmed by IR spectroscopic investigation of the structures of MA adsorbed on γ-Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ alone. MA adsorption was strongest on γ-Al₂O₃; also the formation of maleate structures were favoured on this support.     

Free formic acid by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide in sodium formate solutions

Free formic acid was produced in hydrogenation of carbon dioxide dissolved in aqueous sodium formate solutions under H₂ and CO₂ pressure with the water-soluble rhodium–phosphine complex, [RhCl(mtppms)₃] (mtppms = monosulfonated triphenylphosphine) as catalyst. Concentration of sodium formate, total gas pressure and the pressure ratio of H₂ to CO₂ were the most important factors for production of HCOOH. Up to 0.13 M concentration of HCOOH was achieved, while there was negligible formic acid production in the absence of sodium formate.     

Electrochemical Oxidation of Ferulic Acid in Aqueous Solutions at Gold Oxide and Lead Dioxide Electrodes

A kinetic study of the electrochemical oxidation of ferulic acid (3-methoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) by direct electron transfer at treated gold disk was combined with results of electrolyses in order to produce total degradation into CO₂ and H₂O at Ta/PbO₂ anode. The oxidation of ferulic acid at gold electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry. At low concentration, ferulic acid shows one irreversible anodic peak. The peak current shows adsorption characteristics. For ferulic acid concentrations higher than 0.02 mmol dm⁻³, the voltammogram shows two anodic peaks. The effect of experimental conditions on the ratio of these two peaks was examined. The proposed mechanism is based on the hypothesis of two-electron oxidation of ferulic acid molecule involving a three intermediate cation mesomers. Hydrolysis of these mesomers leads to the formation of caffeic acid, methoxyhydroquinone and 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxycinnamic acid. Then ferulic acid was quantitatively oxidised by electrolysis on lead dioxide to produce, via intermediate aromatic compounds, maleic acid, oxalic acid and formic acid whose oxidation leads to carbon dioxide.